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Internet Tech Network Meets in Detroit

The International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) held its Annual Convention recently in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Over 300 members from across the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Australia, Peru, Egypt, the Bahamas and the Marianas Islands flew into the Motor City to attend technical and business seminars, visit the nearby automotive museums and attach faces to the names they've grown familiar with from the various iATN web forums. The network has over 37,000 members scattered across the globe who exchange information and advice on approximately 20 technical and nontechnical forums.

One of the most-attended seminars was a technical discussion featuring a panel of diagnostic experts hosted by Mark Warren of EASE Diagnostics, and a Motor Magazine columnist. The panel included OE representatives Paul Baltusis of Ford, Joe Di Fede of DaimlerChryser and Jack Woodward of GM, who were joined by Bill Fulton of Ohio Automotive Technology, Tom Roberts of AutoNerdz and scope guru Jorge Menchu of AES-a frequent contributor to Motor. The lively discussion covered tips, tricks and model-specific issues regarding OBD II and general diagnostics.

Other seminars included "Service Marketing for the Independent Facility," by seasoned shop owner George Witt, "Service Advisor Skills," given by Mark Hambaum of MDH Automotive Services, and "Selling Diagnostic Labor," presented by Kelly Bennett of Horizon Training.

The highlight of the Saturday evening banquet was a slide presentation by Jack Sparks, owner of The DMV Clinic in Santa Cruz, California. Earlier this year, Jack trekked to Kathmandu, Nepal, with hundreds of pounds of tools, diagnostic instruments and technical and training information donated by fellow iATN members, to train and educate Nepalese automotive technicians.

Sparks's presentation illustrated the primitive conditions and lack of resources under which technicians work in Nepal, and the delight they experienced at the gift of tools and knowledge he brought with him.

PBS Airs ASA Mini-Documentary

In 2000, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) underwrote a mini-documentary for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that provides information to motorists on how to find a shop to service and repair their vehicles. PBS began broadcasting the five-minute program on their TV stations nationwide earlier this year.

After three months of airings, independent A.C. Nielsen monitoring reports show the program has been broadcast 1050 times, reaching an audience of 4.9 million American viewers. In the nation's top 50 markets, the program has aired 302 times. It has aired 386 times in the second 50 markets and 362 times in the remaining smaller markets.

Former ASA chairman Bob Anderson represents automotive professionals on the program, which was filmed at his shop, Anderson's Automotive Service, in Sheffield Village, Ohio.

The program is not a commercial for ASA, but a public service to educate motorists on things to look for and questions to ask when they're seeking to establish a relationship with a shop.

"A benefit of ASA broadcasting this message on PBS is that it lends credibility to the association and to the automotive repair industry," said Jim Keller, ASA's chairman. "Because the program takes the form of a short documentary, we are able to use five minutes to communicate a positive message much more effectively than we could with a 30-second commercial," he said. PBS has told ASA the program will air for at least two years.

Buick Rendezvous Hits Inca Trail

Buick celebrated the arrival of its new crossover Rendezvous by entering an early 2002 production model in an epic event-the 15,000-mile, 55-day "Inca Trail 4x4 Adventure Drive" through South America.

Buick Brand Manager Jack Bowen said he entered the Rendezvous to emphasize Buick's entry into an entirely new market and to demonstrate its overall capability, versatility and durability.

Bowen named Patrick Brooks-who last year drove a 1949 Buick station wagon around the world (Newsbreak, August 2000)-to head the Buick driving team. The Rendezvous was among some 50 4WD vehicles that left Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 6 and are scheduled to return to Rio Nov. 29.

Keep Your ION Saturn

Saturn plans to reenergize the entry-level segment with ION, the company's upcoming small car line to debut in the fourth quarter of 2002. Designated as a 2003 model, the all-new ION sedan will hit the market first, closely followed by an innovative coupe.

"The name 'ION' is simple, yet progressive," said Jill Lajdziak, vice president of Saturn sales, service and marketing. "Consumers associate the name with concepts such as energy, movement and smart engineering, which are all positive connotations for an automotive brand. It is a contemporary name that appeals to young buyers, and it signals that Saturn will be offering something dramatically new, rather than just an updated version of our current small cars."

Along with the Saturn VUE compact sport/utility vehicle, the ION is part of GM's entry-vehicle strategy to provide value and fresh designs for younger buyers. Saturn expects the ION to bring enhanced personalization and customer-friendly features to the small-car segment, including a larger exterior, more interior room, a new powertrain and enhanced ride and handling.

New ASE Program Recognizes Shops

To help shops and technicians succeed in the 21st century, ASE has developed a new Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition program that's designed to recognize and help market those shops with a high percentage of ASE-certified technicians. The program includes:

*A customized wall plaque for display in the waiting room or office.

*Decals for shop doors and windows.

*A counter mat with the Blue Seal logo.

*Brochures for customers to explain the value of using a Blue Seal shop.

*A promotion and marketing kit to help tell the world that your shop has qualified for one of the most exclusive recognition programs in the industry.

*A listing on the Blue Seal search engine on the ASE website to help drive business right to your door.

*Ongoing marketing and promotional programs and a quarterly newsletter to help keep you up-to-date on the latest advantages offered exclusively to Blue Seal shops.

For more information, contact Kelly Tran at 703-713-3065, or visit www.asecert.org and click on the "Blue Seal Program" button.

Caddy's Evoq Becomes 2003 XLR

The Cadillac Evoq, which debuted in 1999 at the Detroit Auto Show, will become the 2003 Cadillac XLR. The new luxury roadster will feature the first application of a higher output 4.6-liter Northstar engine in a rear-wheel-drive chassis layout. An electronic five-speed automatic transaxle will be standard. Advanced steel hydroformed side rails and an aluminum cockpit structure will provide the XLR with structural efficiency, ride quality and agility.

A fully automatic retractable hardtop will offer customers the driving enjoyment of a roadster, with the comfort and additional security of a coupe. Michelin's run-flat PAX System tires, which offer significantly enhanced vehicle control should a consumer encounter a loss of air pressure, will be featured on the XLR.

The new model will be produced at GM's Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, alongside the Corvette.